City College Plymouth to take over the Plymouth Marine Skills Centre

City College Plymouth has announced that it is to acquire the Plymouth Marine Skills Centre from Marine South West.

The College has recognised the importance of continuing the work of the Plymouth Marine Skills Centre as a vital resource in bringing together key players such as, Babcock Marine, Princess Yachts, Maritime Training Plymouth, Plymouth University and the many companies that make up the marine industry in Plymouth.

Marine South West has been working to increase the business competitiveness of marine sector companies and part of its work has been to establish the three skills centres at Falmouth, Poole and Plymouth. City College Plymouth is well placed to deliver and develop this function, having many years experience providing specialist training programmes to the marine sector.

George Skinner, Chairman of Maritime Plymouth commented: "The Marine Skills Centre is a vital part of the future, not only for the marine industry but for the many young people who have a future in the industry. Having seen the success of the Poole Centre, which has been running longer than Plymouth's, I can only see good things coming out of the involvement with City College Plymouth.

"We must now be preparing ourselves for the end of the recession, and by using the training funds available, we can ensure that Plymouth's marine industry maintains its roll in the financial health of Plymouth and the surrounding area."

Adam Corney, Executive Director at Marine South West comment: "Marine South West is delighted to have completed the sale of the Plymouth Marine Skills Centre to City College Plymouth. We are certain that this will ensure the long term sustainability of 'demand-led' training to the marine sector in Plymouth. It is especially gratifying that the College are leading a partnership of other providers, including Plymouth University, to create a new era of skills development for the City's marine businesses."

Sam Parrett, Vice Principal at City College Plymouth commented: "We're confident of our ability to develop the Plymouth Marine Skills Centre into a vibrant marine resource for the South West. Our 'Economic Impact' campaign will ensure that all the necessary advice and support is given to the marine sector businesses' and employees' through recession proofing packages,

designed to lessen the effects of the recession. We will also ensure that small marine businesses will be given priority over the available office and accommodation space.

"Through putting many of our initiatives into place we will be able provide industry-focussed training in the region and develop networks allowing large and small businesses to share ideas and best practices to represent the sector's interest."